Don't give up, you can make it. Most of us have been in your shoes at some point in our lives. You will make it, think positive. Please keep us posted about your progress. Bon chance mon ami, T

I hope this helps. We're not debt free yet but we can see we're making progress now.

When she got her end-of-year statement for tax purposes, her balance was almost the same as it had been when she started.

The interest & fees were eating up her remittances.

*Then* she investigated & learned that the "consumer counselling" service was actually working for the credit card companies, preventing or stalling people from filing bankruptcy; they were just collecting as much money from her as they could.

You might call your local Bar Association & ask if they have a Lawyer Referral Service.

They refer you to an attorney who specializes in whatever problem you have, & you pay a token amount for a half hour consultation.

Best luck.

This page might be helpful...

The good ones are great, and can really help you. They are trusted by the companies and once you pay for a few months, many companies drop the interest, and you can get out of debt faster. If you need them, there is nothing fast about it, but it does work. You simply must make many sacrifices.

Also you should know that it is a part of your credit, and can remain for about 7 years. Some lenders may regard it like bankruptcy, and if you default, they drop you.

Bankruptcy may just ruin your credit, and not pay much of anything. The two jobs sounds like it would work.

Let us know how it goes. Whatever you choose it will be rough, but don't forget that you have some human rights, and you have a right to be respected.

If one does have to declare bankruptcy then you are pretty well on high risk auto insurance forever, like with a DWI.

I complain a lot about the Troll, but she does do well at managing our meager resources. One medical problem could change everything even though we have "good" medical insurance. We have survived, 6 way by-pass & prostate cancer co-pays and various bills not covered by insurance. After we retire and go on Medicare, I am afeared we will be SOL. I plan on working until I drop.

Good luck.

I do collections and counseling, have done it for 9 years.
The consolidation is crap, you can do it yourself.

First thing you do is run a credit report on you and your spouse.
On the credit reports back page there is a complete list of all the companies that hold your accounts.
There is a address and a phone number for each.
Go thru your credit report and start working your way thru you know your financial situation better than I do. Pick an account mulitply it by 36% call the company up and tell them you will pay this much. YOU CALL THEM! Dont let them tell you they wont take payments because they will. Tell them that you ended up having to make sacrifices. If you dont like who your talking to call back and get someone else. If they are rude to you tell them about the Federal Debt Protection Act..(look it up and read it)
IF you need further help email me.
Angela